Sunday, February 7, 2016

Big Diamond Speedway Plans Thrilling Schedule For 2016

MINERSVILLE, PA - There will be no shortage of excitement during the 2016 season at Big Diamond Speedway.

The schedule for the 45th year of auto racing at the clay oval in Coal Country features traditional and fan-favorite races which are sure to satisfy the tastes of racers and fans alike.

The 2016 Season Opener is planned for Sunday, March 20, with the CJ's Tire & Automotive Service 358 Modifieds, U.S.S. Achey Sportsman, and the Savage 61 Roadrunners opening their point championship battles. The 30-lap, 358-modified feature will pay $4,000 to the win.

The track will be closed for Easter (March 27) and returns to action for the first Friday night show of the year on April 1 with the Money in the Mountains Modified 40.

The 40-lap feature for the 358-modifieds pays $5,000 to the win and $400 to take the green with regular Big Diamond rules applying. It will be the first event for the No Sweat Service Group Street Stocks. Rounding out the card are the Savage 61 Roadrunners and 600 Modifieds.

Start time for Friday night racing is again at 8:15 p.m.

THE 2016 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: Friday, June 10: Savage 61 Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Night will present "Pack the Track Night" with a $6 General Admission featuring the Modifieds, Sportsman, and Roadrunners.

The 358 modifieds will take part in several specials including the Red White & Blue Autos Twin 20s. The 20-lap features will take place on Friday, July 29 along with the ARDC Midgets and Roadrunners.

The B&H Landscaping George & Georgie Stevenson Memorial is set for Friday, July 1. The 30-lap modified feature pays $4,000 to win along with the Mark's Service Center Cash Dash. The sportsman, roadrunners, and 600 Modifieds round out the card. A spectacular fireworks show will take place at intermission.

The Jack Rich Inc. Coalcracker 72, the speedway’s marquee event for the 358 modifieds will be held on Sunday, Sept. 4, with a rain date of Monday, Sept. 5. A hefty $10,000 payday awaits the winner. Ryan Godown is the defending Coalcracker 72 winner.

The popular 'one-on-one challenge races' are also scheduled for the three weekly divisions. All 25 lap Modified features will pay $3,000 or more to win in 2016.

The Sportsman division will be featured in special shows with Twin 20s slated for Friday, April 22; the Andy Fayash Memorial, Friday, Aug. 19 which pays $1,570 to win and the Leindecker Race Engines Sportsman Coalcracker paying $1,600 to win on Friday, Sept. 2.

The Roadrunners will be showcased in the ‘Full Fender Frenzy Crazy 8s’ for Blyth Cleaning Service night on July 15 and they will have an extra-distance race during the prestigious Coalcracker weekend on Sept. 4.

The Street Stock division is set for their first special of the season on Friday, June 24, for Jasen's Automotive Street Stock 30 Summer Shootout, a new event for this year which pays $1,081 to win along with a Cash Dash. The Street Stocks will also be featured during the Coalcracker weekend race (Sept. 4).

Touring divisions’ are also included in the already packed racing cards in 2016 including the United Racing Club Sprint Cars who will invade the speedway for Schuylkill Mall night on June 17 with the 358 modifieds being outfitted with sail panels for the evening.

The ARDC midgets return to the speedway with two dates; Friday, May 13 and Friday, July 29.

The Modified Short Track Super Series will return on Tuesday, May 10, with the Anthracite Assault 50 along with the sportsman and 600 Modifieds.

The Xcel 600 Modifieds have five dates in addition to the May 10 date. The 600 Modifieds have proven to bring large fields to all scheduled race dates.

The Mark's Service Center Gone But Not Forgotten Memorial is planned for Friday, May 27, Memorial Day Weekend. Modifieds, sportsman, roadrunners, and Blast From the Past Vintage cars are on the card.

Rounding out the touring divisions will be the 60 lap Enduro Dash events on select nights.

The general admission rate will remain $15 for regular shows and $13 for senior citizens. Active military members with a valid I.D. will receive a complimentary "free" admission and veterans with a valid I.D. will receive a free meal ticket.

Registration for the Annual Car Show at the Schuylkill Mall in Frackville, Pa., is underway. Please go to www.bigdspeedway.com for more information. The car show will run from February 29 to March 5.

Affordable rates for advertising through billboards and/or nightly sponsorships can be obtained by contacting Jeff Bowers at 570-527-9093.

Reserved parking spots are available for race teams in 2016. Teams may request their desired parking spot. If the spot is available, it will be marked with the driver's name and car number. Contact 570-527-3168 for more information.

GME steering rewards the drivers gaining the most spots in feature events in the 358 modified and sportsman divisions with a $50 gift certificate.

Those who are seeking media credentials can contact Shawn Wood at shawn@thedirttrackchannel.com.

2016 SCHEDULEMonday, February 29 to March 4Car show at the Schuylkill Mall in Frackville, PA